An exit poll commissioned by the Climate Institute shows almost one third of Greens voters in key marginal seats would have voted Labor if the introduction of the emissions trading scheme had not been delayed. The survey was conducted by Auspoll in 30 key marginal seats across Australia.

Thirty-two per cent of voters said they would have been prepared to vote Labor if it had retained the emissions trading scheme, but when that did not happen, they chose the Greens instead. The Climate Institute's John Connor says it is hard evidence the backflip cost Labor the seat of Melbourne.

"Australians don't want to be insulted," he said. "They know that pollution is causing climate change and it's getting worse. They know they want to move from a pollutant-dependent economy and they're ready for some of the reforms. "It's got to be carefully done but it's a mistake to avoid it at all costs."

He says the poll sends a strong message to Labor. "It's got to lift its game, otherwise it will suffer in the polls as it did in some of these marginal seats but it's also the problem for the Coalition," he said. "They've got to move on as modern conservatives are in the UK, who are actually taking action on pollution and climate change."

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